New episode: the creatures of the abyss

Hello all - Can you believe it's been nearly a year since we published our trailer?

Our latest episode is a collaboration with our old colleague Johnny Harris. He's spent the last few months investigating the fight over deep sea "nodules" — little potato sized nuggets of important metals (cobalt, nickel, copper) that carpet the sea floor. The "Law of the Sea" (which sounds like pirate code but was adopted via UN treaty by most nations in 1994) has so far prevented companies from collecting these valuable little balls. But as Johnny explains - it looks like that's about to change.

Our episode explores a related question: when companies descend on the deep ocean - who's going to be there waiting for them? And will the denizens of the deep be able to survive what's coming? We talked to several scientists about how hard it is to study a world they can't really visit - and each had an odd-looking species that they considered the absolute tops.

My favorite is this squid who walks along the sea floor on two elongated tentacles - a "bipedal" cephalopod!

(In a fit of cabin fever, Adam also wrote a sea shanty inspired by the episode).

Shorts this month:

• Joss interviews to a very archeologist-looking archeologist about how he found a lost city

• ... and she talked to a scientist who is proud to work with a seal that has undeniable rhythm

• (The full interview can be found here on Patreon - it's great!)

• Adam shared the story of a fish with completely clear blood - no red blood cells! (and no, its blood is not Crystal Pepsi)

Don't forget that this Friday afternoon (5PM ET) we're holding our monthly hang with Mayors and Councilors - it's always a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to brainstorming some ideas for Howtown: Year Two.

Six months ago we set out a goal of gaining 500 paid subscribers in our first year - and as I type this we're at 489! We're so grateful and so floored that all of you are helping us make this project a reality. Thank you!

Adam (and Joss)